//diy/
I'm repacing a leaking high pressure hose and need to refill the a/c. This might upset the purist shop workers but I don't want to buy a vacuum pump for a one off repair so do you think using the engine's vacuum will work as seen here anons? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9UKHfQFwM8
I also have spare vacuum hoses and adapters on hand.
Showing all 27 replies.
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You hear that guy's accent? You should avoid doing anything shady in that video if you can avoid it.

You really want that vacuum as far as possible, close to 30 in-hg, and it doesn't look like the engine vacuum pulls to that level. You not only need to evacuate all air out of the system, but you need any moisture that got in to boil off and that takes time and really low pressure. If you're in the US, the pumps aren't that much online and if you don't do it right you'll have to replace the compressor before long because the oil will turn to shit.
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>>2991666
Good to know satan. My work used to have some vacuum pumps laying around but I'll do another check since I've not seen them around lately.
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>>2991663
do you have an air compressor?
>>2987510
the moisture really is the problem because it gums up the oil which makes it coat everything inside the system
replacing the dryer goes a long way to help
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>>2991691
>do you have an air compressor?
not on hand, no, don't really have space for it but I have one at work, I'll look into the drier too since I will have the ability to work on things with the refrigergrant empty
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ODg4ODg3NQ==
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I put propane in my freezer.
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>>2991744
This is man right here
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File: imahvactechnow.jpg (2.7 MB)
2.7 MB
>>2991750
all the cool kids use propane
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>>2991751
I tried it once in a 134a system and wasn't too impressed by it's cooling abilities. May have had other shit wrong with that system at that time though too... Might have to try again someday.
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>>2991744
That's butane bud.
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>>2991818
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Would intermittent hot and cold another car is having likely be the expansion valve? Also I know pic related is far from professional grade but will it get the job done?
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>>2991878
I got the vacuum pump and the manifold gage for $66 on Alibaba. I'm not sure if those cheap leak detectors are worth it.
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>>2991878
>>2991900
Also is you are on the US those can valves don't work great on the self sealing R134a cans. They work but not great and are only $3 on sale on Aliexpress.
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>>2991744
Tell me more.
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>>2991751
Any idea where I can get those hoses?
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>>2993312
various chinkshit outlets
throw away 1lb bottles have a 1"-20 thread
refer shit has male sae fittings and you will need to adapt accordingly
also the piercing charge fittings suck
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>>2991663
assuming you're in the us or canada, just go to a local parts store and rent the pump and gauge set. you'll have to put $350 on hold, but you'll get all that back on return
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autozone-esque stores do free tool rentals, they take a deposit and return it when you bring back the tool
i just borrowed a vacuum pump and gauges to change my expansion valve and recharge
worked well
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>wife complains her a/c is weaker than usual
>buy refill with guage
>refill, A/C works great
>3 days later it doesnt work at all
did i somehow cause a leak in the system? is it retarded to try another refill before dropping hundreds on a vacuum pump kit?
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>>2993949
If it was low before the leak occured before you refilled it, refilling may have made the leak worse by increasing the pressure in the system so now it's leaking faster. Gotta replace your seals likely
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>>2993949
Could be the service valve itself leaking and you disturbing it made the leak worse.
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>>2993965
This, also a lot of those quick fix refill cans have shitty connectors that bend the service valve stems.
>>2993949
Put soapy water on the service ports, look for bubbles.
Then get a good UV flashlight off scamazon and look for leaks.
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>>2993949
a/c is a closed system, it should never need to be topped off; if the refrigerant is low, it has a leak.

buy the charge with UV dye, and then at night look at it with a black light and find out where it's coming from. Schrader valve (port) is a easy fix, but if it's the condenser or compressor, it's much more involved.
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>>2994051
>a/c is a closed system
a fridge with all connections being brazed pipe is a closed system. a car AC with hoses and gaskets looses a couple % refrigerant every year and not topping it off will seize the compressor within 10-20 years due to loss of lubrication cycling.
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>>2994101
there's no reason the gaskets should leak and no the system should never need to be topped off

t. 1994 honda accord with original r134a system on original charge, 2005 odyssey that I rebuilt in 2015 that still has full charge

the reason gaskets fail in a car engine is because they become vulcanized by the oil, that doesn't happen in an a/c system. home a/cs use the same kind of gaskets in 2026, they aren't expected to be regularly recharged either
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>>2994308
>there's no reason the gaskets should leak
it is called diffusion and ac maintenance is a regular inspection point
altough id say the majority is escaping through flex houses, since they have a million times the exposed surface area compared to gaskets
>still has full charge
how do you know? did you pump it out and weight it?

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